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Cooper Flagg entered Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers in a tight race for the NBA Rookie of the Year award with his former Duke Blue Devils teammate Kon Knueppel.
Flagg, coming off a 51-point performance, likely needed another dominant game to reduce his chances of becoming the league’s top rookie. He complied.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James hug at the end of their NBA game in Dallas on April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
The Mavericks’ budding star scored 45 points in Dallas’ 134-128 victory over the injury-depleted Lakers. The victory ended the Mavericks’ longest home losing streak in 32 years. He also added nine assists and eight rebounds to his stat line.
“I think it’s definitely some kind of statement,” he told reporters via ESPN. “But it all comes back to what I said: I have confidence in myself and I know what I’m capable of. I’ll let the rest of the things work themselves out.”
Flagg is the first rookie to have consecutive games with at least 40 points since Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson did so during the 1996-97 season. The achievement came after he became the first teenager to score at least 50 points in a game when he scored 51 points against the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dribbles during the second half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
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“I don’t know if he’s making a final statement,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “I think he’s doing what he’s been doing all season. Being able to play different positions. Being able to be uncomfortable. He’s never complained and he’s delivered for us.
“Tonight, being able to do it on national television, it’s not easy. Especially coming from a 50-ball. You want to win and you helped the team win tonight.”
Flagg leads the Mavericks, who improved to 25-53 with the win, with 20.8 points per game. He also averages 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Knueppel has been a bright spot for the Charlotte Hornets this season, as they appear poised to make the postseason for the first time since 2016. He is third on the team in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. He also averages 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg reacts to a score during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
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Dallas has four games left to play, while Charlotte has three left.
